Tahanto softball is sitting on top of the league

HARVARD — The Tahanto Regional High School softball team won its sixth game of the season on Monday afternoon, crushing Bromfield 19-2 in a mercy-shortened contest.

The game ended after five innings due to the 12-run mercy rule.

With the season nearly half over, the Stags own a 6-2 overall record and are in first place in the Wachusett League D Division with a 3-0 mark.

Tahanto received solid pitching from freshman Erin Ames, who went four strong innings to notch the victory, allowing just three infield hits. She didn't give up an earned run.

Sophomore Brianna Krushefsky, in relief, blanked the Trojans in the fifth frame.

The Stags were aided by Bromfield starter and losing pitcher Kylie Russell, who had a hard time finding the strike zone, issuing eight walks.

Tahanto scored early and often. In their initial time at bat, the Stags, who batted around the order, put three runs on the scoreboard on three walks, a hit batsman, and singles by sophomores Mary Kate O'Day and Krushefsky.

The Stags scored eight runs in the top of the second inning.

O'Day led off with a single to center field. After McKayla Herron walked, the two runners pulled off a double steal to put them both in scoring position.

With one out, Krushefsky ripped a two-RBI single to left field. There were two outs when senior captain Ashley Hastings crushed a stand-up RBI triple to the gap in left-center field.

Freshman Taylor Maloney plated Hastings with an infield hit. Hastings then stole second base and took third on a passed ball, scoring on an error.

Up 8-0, Tahanto put the game away with six more runs in the top of the third frame to claim a commanding, 14-0 lead.

Three walks, two Bromfield errors and singles by Krushefsky and senior captain Sarah Survell led to the six-run explosion.

The Stags went on to score a solo run in the fourth inning and four runs in the fifth frame.

Tahanto banged out 15 hits in the game, with Krushefsky and O'Day leading the hit parade by going 3 for 4 at the plate. Sophomore Julia O'Brien, senior Bridget Looney and Survell contributed two hits each.

Defensively, O'Day, in center field, turned in the play of the game. She made a diving snag of a hot shot off the bat of Trojan shortstop Casey Russell in the first inning.

Looney in left field, Survell behind the plate, and senior captain Taylor Balunis at shortstop also wore gold gloves for the Stags.

"We continue to hit the ball and there were some fine defensive plays out there today," Tahanto coach Steve Pacheco said. "Mary Kate (O'Day) made an outstanding play in center.

"There is some room for improvement, but we played well enough to win," he said. "Erin (Ames) was throwing strikes, which was very encouraging. We want our pitchers to put the ball in play and let our defense do the job."

Tahanto had a good season last year, finishing with an 11-8 overall record and tying West Boylston for second place in the league. Both teams had 8-4 league marks.

Last season, the Stags qualified for the Central Mass. Division 3 tournament, losing 2-1 to Quaboag in the first round of the Districts.

"So far, so good," Pacheco said of this season. "They are improving every game and hitting the ball very well. Our pitchers are starting to zero in on the plate.

"If our hitting continues, then we have a shot to be competitive in every game we play," he said. "Everybody on the team has the expectation that we're good enough to make it to the Districts and, hopefully, advance in the Districts."

The squad's captains are seniors Hastings, Balunis and Survell. Hastings is the left fielder, while Balunis, a returning league all-star, is the shortstop. Survell will do the catching.

"Ashley (Hastings) is a very experienced player and a solid outfielder," Pacheco said. "Her hitting has improved this year and she is a much tougher out. She can hit the ball to all fields with power. She has speed and is a very good all-around player.

"Taylor's (Balunis) nickname is the "vacuum" and she is a very good fielder," he said. "She hits with power and has one of the highest slugging percentages on the team. She is having a nice year and is hitting close to .600.

"This is Sarah's (Survell) fist year starting behind the plate," Pacheco continued. "She has learned the position quickly and knows how to handle the pitchers. She is a tenacious player and improving with every practice."

The other senior on the squad is Looney, who is an outfielder.

"Bridget is a hard worker and a great teammate," Pacheco said. "She's had some spot starts and made some nice contact with the ball. She plays a solid outfield and has been a nice addition to the team."

With the graduation of two-year starting pitcher Allesandra Cosimini, the Stags mound situation is a work in progress. Ames, Krushefsky, sophomore Aarayana Francisco and seventh-grader McKenzie Herron, McKayla's younger sister, have all had a turn toeing the rubber.

"We have an army of pitchers," Pacheco said. "Erin Ames has worked very hard at pitching and has an array of pitches. She has been developing her accuracy and speed.

"Brianna (Krushefsky) bats fourth on the team and is one of our top hitters," he said. "She has also pitched well for us and has a couple of wins. She has good speed and experience on the mound.

"McKenzie (Herron) came up from the junior varsity and stepped in when we had some injuries to the other pitchers," Pacheco continued. "She has won two games for us and done well.

"Aarayana (Francisco) has also done a good job pitching for us," he said.

Ames and McKenzie Herron will be in the infield when not pitching, while Krushefsky and Francisco are outfielders when not on the mound.

O'Brien is the first baseman, while Maloney is at second. McKayla Herron, who played third base as a seventh-grader, is back at the hot corner.

"Julia (O'Brien) has taken a big step forward from last year," Pacheco said. "She has been hitting with power in the high .400s. She can hit to all fields and is a difficult out.

"Taylor (Maloney) also has some pop in the bat and hits around .300," he said. "McKayla Herron leads the team in hitting and is batting over .600. She is a good contact hitter and is hitting with more power this year. She is fearless at third base and an excellent fielder."

O'Day is the center fielder.

"Hitting-wise, she (O'Day) is close to .600," Pacheco said. "She is a tough out. She has speed and can hit with power. She can play small ball and can also put one over your head.

"She can track down just about anything in the outfield," he said. "She is a good all-around player."

Junior Elena Kolodzieczak is an infielder and designated hitter (DH).

"She (Kolodzieczak) has been hitting for us and has good power," Pacheco said.

Junior Alyssa Michalak is a third baseman, while freshmen Abbie MacNikol and Mollie Sullivan play second base and catcher, respectively.

"Alyssa (Michalak) is a great team player," Pacheco said. "She works extremely hard and is very dedicated to the team.

"Abbie (MacNikol) is very fast and has a decent bat," he said. "We use her in a lot of running situations, and she is a real weapon on the base paths.

"Mollie (Sullivan) has a good arm and a lot of potential as a catcher," Pacheco said.

The Stags have a potent offense, averaging over 10 runs a game.

"We have powered our way to some wins, but that isn't the only way we've won," Pacheco said. "Our pitching has also been good."

The volunteer assistant varsity coach is Dick Herron. John Neusch is the junior varsity coach, while Katie Bielonko coaches the middle school team.